Liberty (Nishinoya x Reader)

Chapter 10

     I woke up to movement. I groaned as I rubbed my eyes. I was warm, very warm. But my feet felt sore and so did my neck.

     "Hello sunshine. Sleep well?" Noya mocked. I sat up straight and looked out the window to see the school coming into view. I was in Nishinoya's jacket and I..accidentally feel asleep on his shoulder.

     "Ah, sorry. I guess all the adrenaline I had kinda left Huh?" I silently chuckled as he waved his hand dismissively.

     "It's okay. Don't worry about it," he said quietly with a shy smile. The bus stopped and everyone got off. Eiji started walking home immediately with Hinata as they waved bye. The ginger and the smartass looked at me and winked as they left. 

     Nishinoya took my hand and lead me to the side of the building away from view. He then lead me to the gym that was open and pulled me in. The warm air of the the gym mixed with the coolness of outside which made me shiver a little.

     "Why're we in here?" I asked, looking around. The net was put up but the tub of volleyballs were still out.

     "I want you to practice with me," he said, spinning a ball in his fingers.

     "But I'm in a dress, and you're in jeans. Wouldn't that make it difficult?" I raised a brow as a determined smile formed on his lips.

     "Sometimes I practice in jeans. It restricts my movements and if I'm able to move fast under those restrictions, I'll be able to move faster when I'm in shorts," he says, throwing the ball my way. "And I just want you to toss it to me."

     He flashed me a smile that I couldn't refuse. "Alright."

     I tossed him a couple of balls and he received every single one of them.

     Once he was done with receiving or something like that, I helped him pick up the balls and we closed down the place.

     We went outside and the moon was shining brightly in the middle of the sky. I looked at my phone and it was almost 10 o'clock. I gasped in realization and whipped around with a playful smirk.

     "You wanted me to practice so late so I'd go home with you!" I pointed accusingly. His face turned another color as he flailed his hands around.

     "W-Wait! No I just didn't want to go home yet and I like you!" There was a moment of silence as we both blinked. 'He likes me?'

     As if it took another moment to realize what he just said he flushed harder. "Wait no that's not what I meant, I like to hang out with you!" He covered his face with both of his hands and crouched down. "Ugh, what did I ever do to deserve this?"

     My heart sped up as I felt happiness overflow my body. I crouched down as well to his level and I planted my hand in his hair, in which he tensed up at.

     "You know, I never had a crush," I started. "Tell me, what do you see in me?"

He looked at me with those big hazel eyes of his and away immediately after. I felt my stomach flip, but I ignored it and sat on the ground in front of him.

     "I-I like your smile..." he mumbled. "A-And I like your laugh, your voice. Y-You're smart and b-beautiful and talented. You're selfless and kind and funny but sometimes you get on my nerves with your i-insecurities but those are what make you who you are. You're confident with people and passionate with music like I am with volleyball. You're so honest and you're always there for me and the team when we play." He looks up at me with a compassionate smile. "And you're really cute when you're shy! And when you fell asleep on my shoulder I had to hold myself back from k-kissing you..." His eyes went wide and he buried his head in his arms. "I just like you for you, [Name]. I've liked you before I found out your secret. I thought it was just an attraction like I had towards Kiyoko but...when you started showing me you I...Began to like you..." He lifted his head and stared solemnly at the ground. "No, I don't think the word like is the right word anymore."

     My eyes widened as more heat crept up my neck and invaded my cheeks. I knew about his little crush on me from Eiji, but I didn't expect this.

     "You love me," I blurted out. He thought for a moment before nodding slowly.

     "I-I think I do. I'm not sure," he mumbled. A small smile graced my face as I stood up, holding out a hand.

     "Get up," I say gently. "Squatting down and hiding your face from a difficult situation isn't the Nishinoya Yuū I know." He looked up at me with glassy eyes and then back down to my hand. He seemed to think for a moment before slowly removing one of his arms to reach out for my hand. I snatched it and yanked him up with a grunt before attacking him with a caring embrace.

     "[N-Name]?"

     "I've never had a crush, but I know what I feel for you is more than 'friends'. If it was just a 'friend', then I would feel it towards the whole team. But...they don't make my heart race like you do." I broke away from him and placed his hand on my neck. His eyes widened.

Budampbudampbudampbudamp

     "It's going faster than mine," he gasped, "Don't have a heart attack! I didn't want you to die!" He placed a hand on my forehead and then looked to see if I was breathing when I laughed.

     "I'm not going to die Noya. I gotta make it to nationals first," I chuckled. He blinked before scratching the back of his head.

     "S-Sorry."

     "Oh that reminds me," I smirked, "can I spend the night so I won't be mauled by bears and coyotes?" He blushed before sheepishly smiling as he let out a quiet "Sure."

     He started walking in the direction of his house and I followed right beside him.

     It was quiet as the night went on and we walked before we came across a small condo.

     "My parents aren't home, they're visiting my grandparents up north," he mumbled while turning the key and unlocking the door. He flipped a switch to reveal a small living room and a kitchen separated by an island bar. It looked homely.

     I took off my heels in relief and slipped on some slippers as I walked further in. There was a couch close to the door and a large TV was sat in front of it. I turned back to see Nishinoya still at the door looking down at the door knob. Now that I can see his face clearly, the redness of his blush was more noticeable.

     "Do you have clothes?"
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<3

Published January 25 2020
Edited December 16 2022